Taro dump expansion subject of open house

The public is being invited to review and comment on six expansion options for the Taro industrial dump in Stoney Creek at an open house hosted by owner Terrapure Environmental.

Terrapure communications director Greg Jones said the meeting will provide details on each of the options as well as how the company plans to consider their effects on the natural environment and surrounding community. It runs from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7 at Winterberry Heights Church.

Ontario’s environment minister, Chris Ballard, gave Terrapure approval Nov. 9 to proceed with an environmental assessment of the upper Stoney Creek site’s proposed expansion, which will still require provincial approval.

The six options boost the existing capacity of 6.32 million cubic metres to either 10 million or 12 million depending on whether an area by Green Mountain Road presently set aside for two million cubic metres of clean fill is used for industrial waste. They do so by either raising the lined quarry dump’s height, expanding its footprint or both.

The city, the site’s community liaison committee and Ward 9 Coun. Doug Conley are on record as opposing the expansion bid, but it is supported by the Stoney Creek, Hamilton and Flamborough chambers of commerce.

Jones said Terrapure is offering an online open house from Dec. 7 to 21 at terrapurestoneycreek.com. It will include all displays.